Locking device for a sliding door

ABSTRACT

A sliding door panel is supported by a base track member for sliding movement between open and closed positions adjacent a set of opposing vertical jamb members. An elongated locking bar includes two bar sections connected by a hinge, and one of the bar sections is pivotally connected by another hinge to one of the jamb members to provide for movement of the bar sections between a collapsed position adjacent the one jamb member and a generally aligned over-center position extending between the jamb member and the door panel in its closed position. The latter hinge is attached to the one jamb member by a strip of double faced pressure sensitive adhesive material which is protected by a sheet of strippable paper until the locking bar is ready to install. The hinges are constructed of either metal or of a plastics material which form integral hinges and are also attached to the bar sections by strips of pressure sensitive adhesive material.

' United States Patent 1 [111 3,754,783 Childers v Aug. 28, 1973 LOCKINGDEVICE FOR A SLIDING DOOR [76} inventor: John L. Childers, 191Blackstone v ABSTRACT Cememne Ohm 45459 A sliding door panel issupported by a base track mem- [22] Filed: Jan. 20, 1972 her for slidingmovement between open and closed positions adjacent a set of opposingvertical jamb mem- [211 App! 2l948l bers. An elongated locking barincludes two bar sec tions connected by a hinge, and one of the barsections [52] U.S. Cl 292/263, 49/449 is pivotally connected by anotherhinge to one of the 5 1 Int. Cl. E05c 17/32 jamb members to provide formovement of the bar sec- [58] Field of Search 49/449; 292/262, tionsbetween a collapsed position adjacent the one 292/263; l6/DIG. 13, 128,135; 24/ 1 l jamb member and a generally aligned over-center positionextending between the jamb member and the door [56] References Citedpanel in its closed position. The latter hinge is attached UNITE STATESPATENTS to the one jamb member by a strip of double faced 2,791,4565/1957 Roehl 292/263 pressure sensitive. adhesive material which is3,499,675 3/1970 lsenberg 49/449 by a sheet of strlppable paper untilthe locking bar IS 3,554592 M970 Katz 49/449 ready to install. Thehinges are constructed of either 3,5 2,973 2 1971 160/231 A metal or ofa plastics material which form integral 3,612,458 10/1971 Mwanyoha248/205 A hinges and are also attached to the bar sections by strips ofpressure sensitive adhesive material.

Primary Examinerl(enneth Downey Attorney-William R. Jacox et a1. 2Claims 8 Drawing Figures LOCKING DEVICE FOR A SLIDING DOOR BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION In a sliding door assembly, a rectangular frame is formedby a base track member and a header member rigidly connected by a pairof opposing jamb members. The frame supports a stationary glass doorpanel and another glass door panel which slides on the base track memberbetween the opposing jamb members. Many different types of lockingsystems or mechanisms have been either used or proposed for use betweenthe frame of the sliding door panel and one of the jamb members,

but most of these locking mechanisms can be broken simply by using a prybar adjacent the locking mechanism between the jamb member and the frameof the movable door panel.

To prevent the sliding door panel from being forced open, additionallocking devices have been used on a sliding door assembly. For example,clamping devices have been employed for securing to either the headermember or the base track member adjacent the frame of the sliding doorpanel in its closed'position. The sliding door panel has also beensecured in its closed position by an elongated bar or stick which ispositioned within the space between the frame of the sliding door paneland the opposing jamb member. When it is desired to open the slidingdoorpanel, the stick is removed from the sliding door assembly andplaced in a nearby storage area. However, the stick is frequentlymisplaced or gets carried away and is then not readily available for usewhen it is desired to lock the sliding door again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to animproved locking devicefor a sliding door assembly and which is adaptedto be quickly and conveniently attached to the door assembly and toprovide a positive auxiliary-lock for the sliding door panel in itsclosed position. The locking device is simple and convenientto use andis positively retained in both a locked position and a releasedposition. The locking device of the invention is also neat in appearanceand does not interrupt the view through the'stationary glass door panelwhen the locking device'is in either of its locked or releasedpositions;

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an elongated bar isformed in two sections which 1 are pivotally connected by ahingeandstrips of double faced pressure sensitive adhesive tape. One of thebarsections is slightly shorter than the other bar section and has an endportion which is adapted to be pivotally connected to one of the jambmembers by a hinge and additional strips of double faced pressuresensitive adhesive tape. The'bar sections are movable between. agenerally parallel collapsed position adjacent the one jamb member and agenerally aligned position extending adjacent the base track memberbetween the one jamb member and the frame of the sliding door panel inits closed position. In their extended locked position the bar sectionspivot through an over-center condition to assure positive locking of thebar sections. In their collapsed position, the end of the longer barsection rests on the base track member and assures that both of the barsections are retained adjacent the one jamb member. In anotherembodiment, the hinges which connect the bar sections to each other andto the jamb member are formed of a thermoplastics material and haveintegral hinge webs.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view of asliding door assembly incorporating a locking device constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a slightly larger fragmentary view of the sliding doorassembly showing the locking device in its locked position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIG. 2 and showingthe locking device of the invention in its collapsed position;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 and illustratingthe locking device being moved from its collapsed position to its lockedposition;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the hinge connectionbetween the bar sections of the locking device;

FIG. 6 is a similar fragmentary section of the locking device andshowing it being mounted on a jamb member of the sliding door assembly;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 5 and showing amodification of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 6 and showing amodification of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The sliding door assembly shownin FIG. 1 includes a rectangular frame 15 formed by a horizontal basetrack member 16 and a horizontal header member 18 which are rigidlyconnected by a pair of opposing vertical jamb members 19 and 20. Astationary door panel 22 includes a glass panel 23 enclosed within arectangular frame 24 which is rigidly secured to the frame 15 by aseries of screws (not shown). Another door panel 25 is slidably mountedon the base track member 16 by a set of rollers (not shown) which aremounted on a rectangular frame 26 surrounding a glass panel 28. In aconventional manner, the door panel 25 is movable between an openposition adjacent the jamb member 20 and a closed position (FIG. 1)adjacent the joint member 19 where the frame 26 of the door panel 25 isadapted to be secured to the jamb member 19 by a suitable latch 30.

In accordance with the present invention, an additional locking device35 is located adjacent the track member 16 between the jamb member 20and the door panel 25, The locking device 35 includes an elongated barformed by a bar section 36 and a slightly longer bar section 38, both ofwhich are preferably formed from a solid aluminum extrusion having arectangular cross-.

section with a width of approximately one inch and a thickness ofapproximately three-eighthsinch. The bar sections 36 and 38 arepivotally connected by a strap type metal hinge 42 having a pair of flathinge elements 43 which are secured to the corresponding end portions ofthe bar members 36 and 38 by .strips 44 of double-faced pressuresensitive adhesive tape material such as the type number 4292 pressuresensitive tape manufactured by the 3M Company, St. Paul, Minne-. sota.This particular tape has a thickness of one thirtysecond inch and iseffective to form a positive bond between the hinge elements 43 and theadjacent end portions of the bar sections 36 and 38 so that the need forscrews and tap holes is eliminated.

Another metal hinge 46 (FIGS. 4 and 6) pivotally connects the oppositeend portion of the bar section 36 to the inner surface of the jambmember and includes a pair of flat hinge elements 47 (FIG. 6), one ofwhich is attached to the corresponding end portion of the bar section 36by another strip 48 of double-faced pressure sensitive adhesive tapematerial. A second strip 48 of pressure sensitive adhesive tape isattached to the opposite hinge element 47 and is normally protected by astrippable paper sheet 51 until the locking device 35 is ready to beinstalled.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, when it is desired to install thelocking device 35, the bar sections 36 and 38 are folded to a generallyparallel collapsed position and are positioned adjacent the jamb member20 with the lower end surface of the longer bar section 38 resting onthe base track member 16 as shown in FIG. 3. The sheet 51 of protectivepaper is stripped from the strip 48 of pressure sensitive adhesive tapeon the outer hinge element 47, and the folded bar sections 36 and 38 arepressed firmly against the jamb member 20 so that the outer hingeelement 47 becomes positively attached to the jamb member 20 by thecorresponding strip 48 of pressure sensitive adhesive. A foldedcardboard pad 52 is temporarily positioned between the hinge elements 47to hold the hinge elements substantially parallel when the bar sections36 and 38 are pressed against the jamb member 20 so that the full areaof the outer hinge element 47 becomes firmly bonded or attached to theinner face of the jamb member 20.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the bar sections 36 and 38 are pivotable betweentheir released or collapsed position (FIG. 3) and a locked position(FIG. 2) where the bar sections 36 and 38 are generally aligned andextend between the jamb'member 20 and the frame 26 of the closed doorpanel 25. As shown in FIG. 2, when the locking member 35 is moved fromits collapsed position to its lockedposition, the axis of the hinge 42passes over-center or through a plane defined by the axis of the hinge46 and a line of engagement between the forward end of the bar section38 and the frame 26 of the door panel 25.

In the locked position, the bar section 38 rests upon the base trackmember 16, and the bar section 36 slopes slightly upwardly to form anacute angle with the base track member 16. This arrangement assures apositive locking condition of the bar sections 36 and 38 and assuresthat the bar sections 36 and 38 will not pivot upwardly when asubstantial force or repetitive impacts are applied to the door panel inan attempt to force the door panel open. A knob member 55 is secured tothe bar section 38 and provides for conveniently pivoting the barsections 36 and 38 between their collapsed position (FIG. 3) and theirextended locked position (FIG. 2).

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 which show a modification ofa locking deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention, in place of the hinge 42,a hinge 62 is used for pivotally connecting the bar sections 36 and 38.The hinge 62 is formed from a strip of thermoplastics material such aspolyethylene or polypropolene and has a width which is the same as thatof the bar sections 36 and 38. The hinge 62 includes a pair of flathinge elements 63 which are pivotally connected by a pair of thin webportions 64 lcated on opposite sides of a bead portion 66. The webportions 64 are formed by engaging the thermoplastic sheet with a pairof oppos ing heated blades, and provide for flexing or pivoting the barsections 36 and 38 through an angle slightly greater than A hinge 68(FIG. 8) is also formed from a strip of thermoplastics material in thesame manner as the hinge 62 and has a width corresponding to the widthof the bar sections 36 and 38. The hinge 68 includes a flat element orportion 69 which is attached to the underneath surface of the barsection 36 by a strip 71 of double-face pressure sensitive adhesive tapematerial in the same manner as the corresponding hinge element 47 (FIG.6) is attached to the bar section 36 by the adhesive strip 48. The hinge68 also includes a portion 72 which extends at right angles to theelement 69 and is secured by an adhesive strip 73 to the end surface ofthe bar section 36.

A flat hinge element 74 is integrally connected to the hinge portion 72by a thin web portion 76. The hinge element 74 is adapted to be attachedto the jamb member 20 by adhesive strip 48 in the same manner as thecorresponding hinge element 47 is attached to the jamb member 20 asmentioned above in connection with FIG. 6. When the bar sections 36 and38 are pivoted from their collapsed position (FIG. 8) adjacent the jambmember 20 to their generally aligned extended position, the hinge 68flexes at the web portion 76. While the hinges 62 and 68 are preferablyfonned from an extruded sheet of thermoplastics material by shearing thesheet into strips and engaging the strips with heated blades to form thethin web sections 64 and 76, the hinges may also be formed by aninjection molding operation.

From the drawing and the above description, it is apparent that asliding door locking device constructed in accordance with theinvention, provides several desirable features and advantages. Forexample, the locking device'35 may be conveniently and quickly attachedto ajamb member of a-sliding door assembly and may also be quickly andconveniently moved between a positively locked position adjacent thebase track member 16 and a positive retracted or collapsed positionadjacent the jamb member 20. In both its locked position and itscollapsed position, the locking device is compact so that it does notproject beyond the frame 24 of the stationary door panel 22 and alsoprovides a neat and attractive appearance. Furthermore, when the lockingdevice is moved to itslocked position as shown in FIG. 2, theover-center movement of the hinge 42 assures that the locking devicewill remain in its locked position regardless of the extent and type offorce applied to the door panel 25 in an attempt to'open the locked doorpanel. The attachment of the hinges 42 and 46 with the correspondingstrips 44 and 48 of double-face pressure sensitive adhesive tapematerial also provides for quickly and economically attaching the hinges42 and 46 to the bar sections 36 and 38 as well as to the door frame 20.The modified hinges 62 and 68 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 provide theadditional advantages of inexpensive construction and a simplifiedassembly of the hinges to the bar sections 36 and 38 and the jamb member20.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferredembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention.

The invention having been described, the following is claimed:

1. A locking device adapted for use within a sliding door assemblyincluding a door panel supported for sliding movement on a horizontalbase member extending between opposing vertical jamb members, saiddevice comprising a first rigid bar section and a second rigid barsection, a first hinge member for pivotally connecting one end portionof the first rigid bar section to one of the jamb members at a positionabove the base member, a second hinge member pivotally connecting theopposite end portion of the first bar section to the adjacent endportion of the second bar section, the first and second hinge memberscooperating to provide for movement of the bar sections between anextended locked position along the base member and a generally parallelcollapsed condition adjacent the jamb member, the second hinge memberproviding for pivoting the first and second bar sections through anangle greater than degrees to a locked position to permit the second barsection to rest on the base mem bet with the first bar section slopingupwardly from the base member to the first hinge member which isattached to the jamb member, the first bar section sloping at a slightacute angle relative to the base member, the length of the first barsection being less than the length of the second bar section so that oneend of the second bar section rests on the base member when the barsections are in a generally parallel collapsed condition.

2. The locking device of claim 1 which includes a layer of pressuresensitive adhesive material having a surface secured to the first hingemember and a surface attached to the jamb member.

1. A locking device adapted for use within a sliding door assemblyincluding a door panel supported for sliding movement on a horizontalbase member extending between opposing vertical jamb members, saiddevice comprising a first rigid bar section and a second rigid barsection, a first hinge member for pivotally connecting one end portionof the first rigid bar section to one of the jamb members at a positionabove the base member, a second hinge member pivotally connecting theopposite end portion of the first bar section to the adjacent endportion of the second bar section, the first and second hinge memberscooperating to provide for movement of the bar sections between anextended locked position along the base member and a generally parallelcollapsed condition adjacent the jamb member, the second hinge memberproviding for pivoting the first and second bar sections through ananglE greater than 180 degrees to a locked position to permit the secondbar section to rest on the base member with the first bar sectionsloping upwardly from the base member to the first hinge member which isattached to the jamb member, the first bar section sloping at a slightacute angle relative to the base member, the length of the first barsection being less than the length of the second bar section so that oneend of the second bar section rests on the base member when the barsections are in a generally parallel collapsed condition.
 2. The lockingdevice of claim 1 which includes a layer of pressure sensitive adhesivematerial having a surface secured to the first hinge member and asurface attached to the jamb member.